Bernie Slaven has some strong words of warning for Aitor Karanka with the former Boro boss now the bookies favourite for the hot-seat at struggling Sunderland.

The living legend believes Aitor would need to ‘have his bumps felt’ if he was considering the job.

Here Bernie has his say on that mooted move and the main talking points of the Boro week:

Aitor Karanka would be mad to take Black Cats job

“You would have to question Aitor Karanka’s sanity if he took the Sunderland job right now.

“If you think how he felt the pressure when Boro were struggling then taking that poisoned chalice could see him in a padded cell.

“Yes Sunderland is a big club with a big fan-base and Karanka will want to get back into football - but he would need his bumps felt if he was thinking about taking the reigns.

Aitor Karanka (Image: PA)

“Sunderland are a club in turmoil. They are a basketcase of a club. There is no money, the owner wants to sell they are rock bottom and they have got a poor, demoralised and unbalanced squad.

“No good manager in their right mind would go there now. It could put a serious dent in your reputation. David Moyes found that out. And Simon Greyson too. The club is on a spiral of decline and you would have to be desperate to take it.

“And to be honest, I’m not even sure he would work there. They are in big trouble and they need wins fast, not draws - and that is what Karanka would do, go in, get them organised and shut up shop and set them out not to lose games.

“And he won’t time to turn it around or the long term support of the owner like he did at Boro. It will be instant results or face the flak.

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“If he gets results the Sunderland fans will love him but if it doesn’t take off he will get pelters for his style and his Boro connections.

“Boro fans wouldn’t be happy if he went there, mind. He would get some stick. He would be called a traitor and a turncoat and worse - but he won’t mind that. It would be water off a duck’s back.

“Remember, he’s not a Teessider. He’s Spanish. Boro was just a job to him and Sunderland would be the same. That’s football. You go where you can get a job.

“To be honest, I’d have been the same. If I’d been out of contract and I’d been offered a move to Sunderland I would have taken it. Of course I would. It would be a job, a wage and I wouldn’t have to move house... I might have had to wear a disguise when I did the shopping mind.”

Targetman Rudy Gestede still has role to play this term

“Rudy Gestede is almost back to full fitness and that has got to be a big plus for Boro.

“He still has a role to play this season without a shadow of a doubt.

“He gives the team something different. We know his qualities: he is big, he is strong, he is great in the air and he is a handful for defenders. And you need that.

Rudy Gestede scores with a header against Sheffield United

“Those kind of players aren’t always easy on the eye but they are very effective and they can change the shape of a game quickly.

“He’s got a decent goal record in this league but it is the goals and chances he makes that are more important to the team.

“It you are a striker then having a big guy going toe-to-toe with the monsters in defence can be a massive help, creating space and winning the knock-downs and if you are a winger then it is great to have a target to aim crosses at and knowing he will win the aerial battles.

“For me having that option from the bench is important for every team and I’m sure he will feature.”

On fringe figure Lewis Baker’s frustrations

“I’m sure Lewis Baker is frustrated at not playing and I understand why - but don’t write him off just yet.

“He came into the team and didn’t really set the world alight and you can say he’s had his chance and never took it but in some ways he has been unlucky.

Lewis Baker, pictured during Boro's Carabao Cup defeat at Bournemouth

“It is always hard to come in as a loanee and nail down a place in a team that has spent £40m because the boss is under pressure to play the big money signings too.

“And he came into a team that was chopping and changing. He played in different positions and with different people around him and that is tricky, especially in a new team.

“But he’s a good footballer. He is neat and tidy, he has two good feet, a quick brain and good movement so he has the attributes. But he will have to wait for his chance and when it comes he has to take it.

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“Right now he has Grant Leadbitter, Jonny Howson and Adam Forshaw ahead of him and they are playing well and the team are winning so the boss has no reason to change.

“But those three don’t score enough goals for me and they are not nailed down. If one of them dips or gets injured or suspended then Baker could be back in. Then it is up to him to impress and make a mark.”

Young gun Marcus Tavernier takes his chance

“He’s come from nowhere and grabbed the spotlight. He’s scored some great goals and put in some dazzling displays and he’s got all the Boro fans talking. Well done to him.

“I’ve been mightily impressed. He is quick, he is direct, he is not scared to take a risk and run at a player, he has intelligent movement and for a teenager he plays with a lot of confidence and swagger.

Marcus Tavernier celebrates against Sunderland

“He has made a huge step up from Academy games to a very tough league but he is not in the slightest bit over-awed. That’s impressive.

“We shouldn’t get carried away just yet though. He’s an exciting prospect and got great promise but he’s not the finished article yet and we’ve seen a lot of youngsters break through and excite and then fade away and never make it.

“Will he make it? I hope so. I really do. But he needs to keep working and learning and make sure he keeps taking his chance.”

Boro pair can be Ireland World Cup heroes

“They are two games away from going to the World Cup and being absolute heroes back home because the whole country will go crazy if Martin O’Neill’s team qualifies.

“The Irish fans are crazy. They are colourful and passionate. They like a drink but are never any trouble and they relish any hint of success. If the team qualifies for Moscow then they will be celebrated as heroes.

“I know how that feels. There were three quarters of a millions people in the streets of Dublin to greet us when we came back in 1990. That was a fantastic feeling.

“If they can get through then it will be a fantastic achievement for the pair and they will be buzzing and that will be good for Boro.

“Playing in the World Cup finals is still the ultimate for a player. It is what you dream of. It really is the biggest stage in world football.

“A lot of great players like George Best and Ryan Giggs never had the opportunity so you know what a special and unique moment it is.